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Talent identification and selection process of outfield players and goalkeepers

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Talent identification and selection process of outfield

players and goalkeepers in a professional soccer club
a a a a
Susana María Gil , Jon Zabala-Lili , Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona , Badiola Aduna , Jose
b c a
Antonio Lekue , Jordan Santos-Concejero & Cristina Granados
a
Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport,
University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
b
Medical Services, Athletic Club, Bilbao, Spain
c
UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape
Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Published online: 28 Nov 2014.

To cite this article: Susana María Gil, Jon Zabala-Lili, Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona, Badiola Aduna, Jose Antonio Lekue, Jordan
Santos-Concejero & Cristina Granados (2014): Talent identification and selection process of outfield players and goalkeepers
in a professional soccer club, Journal of Sports Sciences, DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2014.964290

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 Journal of Sports Sciences, 2014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.964290

Talent identification and selection process of outfield players and

goalkeepers in a professional soccer club

SUSANA MARÍA GIL1, JON ZABALA-LILI1, IRAIA BIDAURRAZAGA-LETONA1,

BADIOLA ADUNA1, JOSE ANTONIO LEKUE2, JORDAN SANTOS-CONCEJERO3
& CRISTINA GRANADOS1
1
Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport, University of the Basque Country
(UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 2Medical Services, Athletic Club, Bilbao, Spain and 3UCT/MRC Research Unit for
Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Downloaded by [Universidad Del Pais Vasco] at 03:56 01 December 2014

(Accepted 3 September 2014)

Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the talent identification process of a professional soccer club. A preselection of players
(n = 64) aged 9–10 years and a final selection (n = 21) were performed by the technical staff through the observation during
training sessions and matches. Also, 34 age-matched players of an open soccer camp (CampP) acted as controls. All
participants underwent anthropometric, maturity and performance measurements.
Preselected outfield players (OFs) were older and leaner than CampP (P < 0.05). Besides, they performed better in
velocity, agility, endurance and jump tests (P < 0.05). A discriminant analysis showed that velocity and agility were the most
important parameters. Finally, selected OFs were older and displayed better agility and endurance compared to the
nonselected OFs (P < 0.05). Goalkeepers (GKs) were taller and heavier and had more body fat than OFs; also, they
performed worse in the physical tests (P < 0.05). Finally, selected GKs were older and taller, had a higher predicted height
and advanced maturity and performed better in the handgrip (dynamometry) and jump tests (P < 0.05).
Thus, the technical staff selected OFs with a particular anthropometry and best performance, particularly agility and
endurance, while GKs had a different profile. Moreover, chronological age had an important role in the whole selection
process.

Keywords: physical test, velocity, agility, power, strength, body size, RAE

Introduction et al., 2006; Williams & Reilly, 2000) and have

several technical skills (Vaeyens et al., 2006).
Scientists have described four stages in the process of
Moreover, selected players displayed better perfor-
searching for excellence in sport (Williams & Reilly,
mance than nonselected in an U-14 selection team
2000): talent detection, identification, selection and
(Coelho E Silva, Figueiredo, et al., 2010).
development. Thus, the technical staff of profes-
Nonetheless, they were also more experienced and
sional soccer clubs develop different kinds of pro-
mature, which may have accounted for the
grammes in order to discover those players who
differences.
could benefit from specific training schedules and
One of the limitations of these cross-sectional stu-
would potentially succeed in the club.
dies is that usually the groups that are compared do
Several attempts have been made to identify the
not train together, and they may have different train-
characteristics of talented young soccer players. In
ing histories; therefore, many of the differences may
this respect, some cross-sectional studies have com-
come from the training status rather than from the
pared groups of players of different levels such as
actual talent. Therefore, longitudinal studies over-
elite versus nonelite or subelite players. It has been
come this problem by analysing the outcome of the
observed that elite players have less body fat and are
athletes after a shorter or longer period of time. By
taller than subelite players (Williams & Reilly, 2000).
this means, differences in body size and functional
Also, many authors agree that elite players display a
capacity were observed among players who discon-
better performance in the physical tests (Vaeyens
tinued participation and continued or moved to a

Correspondence: Susana María Gil, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio
Sarriena s/n, Leioa 48940, Spain. E-mail: Susana.gil@ehu.es

© 2014 Taylor & Francis

 2 S.M. Gil et al.
higher level (Figueiredo, Gonçalves, Coelho E Silva,
& Malina, 2009) and also between selected and
nonselected players of a soccer club (Gil, Ruiz,
Irazusta, Gil, & Irazusta, 2007; Gil, Gil, Ruiz,
Irazusta, & Irazusta, 2007). Besides, height, body
mass, maximal anaerobic power and maturity status
varied among players who achieved amateur, profes-
sional or international level (Le Gall, Carling,
Williams, & Reilly, 2010).
It is noteworthy that the aforementioned studies
either cross-sectionally compared teams of different
levels or longitudinally followed the success of
players during a certain period of time. Still, to our
knowledge, there are no investigations about the
actual talent identification process, defined as the
procedure of recognising the most talented players
Downloaded by [Universidad Del Pais Vasco] at 03:56 01 December 2014
(currently playing soccer) with the potential to
become elite players and being incorporated into a
club, in the context of professional soccer. Thus, the
general objective of the present study was to analyse
the process of talent identification of young soccer
players in a professional soccer club. With this pur-
pose, we analysed the characteristics of young
players going through the different phases of the
talent identification process of the club, in order to
ascertain what the most relevant characteristics are.
Also, our aim was to compare the anthropometric
and performance characteristics of outfield players
(OFs) and goalkeepers (GKs) involved in the
above-mentioned selection process.
Methods
Each year, the technical staff of this particular club
select soccer players to enter the youngest team in
the club (players aged 9–10). The selection process
goes through two phases. First, during the first
months of the season, a number of players are
selected from all the soccer players around the
county belonging to around 300 teams (first selec-
tion). Second, between this first selection and the
end of the season, players continue training in their
original clubs, but attend one training session per
week within the club’s facilities under the supervi-
sion of the club’s coaches. By the beginning of the
following season, the technical staff make a small
selection of players to definitely join the club (final
selection). This selection of players is performed
through the observation of training sessions and
matches. This professional soccer club has a parti-
cular philosophy of employing only locally born
players or players born elsewhere but trained from
childhood/adolescence in the club. Thus, identifying
players with the potential to become high-level pro-
fessionals is a major issue for the technical staff.
In the present study, these phases followed the
same protocol. We undertook anthropometry,
performance and maturity measurements in the
players first selected and also players of an open
soccer camp (control participants), whereas statisti-
cal analysis was performed once the final selection
was made. Thus, comparisons were made between
players of the first selection (54 OFs and 10 GKs),
players of the soccer camp (n = 34) and players
finally selected (17 OFs and 4 GKs) versus the
nonselected. Besides, differences between OFs and
GKs were also analysed.
The players in the open soccer camp also played
soccer in clubs around the county but had not been
preselected for this particular club and therefore
would be representative of the soccer players of the
county. All participants trained twice a week (1- to
1.5-h training/day) and played a match during the
weekend. They all played in the same county league.
Written informed consent was received from all
players and parents after verbal and written explana-
tion of the experimental design and potential risks of
the study. The ethics committee of the University of
the Basque Country for Research on Human
Subjects approved this study. The measurements
were performed according to the ethical standards
of the Helsinki Declaration.
Measurements were taken in the same sports hall
and under the same external conditions: for the
anthropometric measurements, players only wore
shorts and for the performance tests they wore
shorts, T-shirt and soccer boots, except in the
jump test, during which they wore running shoes.
The following tests were carried out on all players at
the same time of the day and in the same order.
Anthropometric measurements
Height, sitting height (Añó Sayol, Barcelona, Spain)
and body weight (Seca, Bonn, Germany) were mea-
sured. Leg length and the ratio between leg length
and sitting height were calculated. The body mass
index (BMI) was calculated from height and body
weight (kg · m–2). Skinfold thicknesses (measured in
mm) were measured at six sites (triceps, subscapu-
lar, abdominal, suprailiac, thigh and calf) using a
skinfold calliper (Harpenden, England), and the
sum of these six measurements was calculated (sum
of skinfolds). The amount of fat in the extremities
(limb fat) was calculated as the sum of the skinfolds
of the extremities: triceps + thigh + lower leg. The
amount of fat in the trunk (body fat) was calculated
from the sum of the subscapular, abdominal and
suprailiac skinfolds.
The circumferences of the upper arm, thigh and
lower leg (in cm) were measured using a tape mea-
suring (Lufkin, Germany). Four diameters (in cm)
were obtained using a calliper (Harpenden,
England): biepicondylar of the humerus (elbow),

bistyloid of the wrist, biepicondylar of the femur
(knee) and bimalleolar of the ankle.
Body composition (fat, bone and muscle percen-
tages) (Faulkner, 1968; Rocha, 1975) and somato-
type (endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy)
were calculated (Heath & Carter, 1967). Due to
the time constrictions, complete body composition
and somatotype were not calculated for the players
attending the soccer camp.
All the measurements were taken following the
guidelines outlined by the ISAK (International
Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry)
by the same researcher.
Downloaded by [Universidad Del Pais Vasco] at 03:56 01 December 2014
Maturity
The time before peak height velocity, labelled matur-
ity offset, was predicted using a formula (Malina,
Coelho E Silva, Figueiredo, Carling, & Beunen,
2012; Mirwald, Baxter-Jones, Bailey, & Beunen,
2002). Predicted age at peak height velocity
(APHV) in years was estimated as chronological
age minus maturity offset (Malina et al., 2012).
Adult height was predicted using the Khamis–
Roche method (Khamis & Roche, 1994), and the
height at the time of the measurements was calcu-
lated as the percentage of the predicted adult
height.
Hormones: testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone
Saliva collection was not allowed within 60 min after
eating a meal. Each player collected their saliva sam-
ple by passive drool in a plastic tube. Samples were
refrigerated within 30 min and freezed below −20°C
within 4 h of collection. Both hormones were mea-
sured by immunoenzymatic determination using a
specific kit, following the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions (Salimetrics, LLC, Suffolk, UK).
Velocity test and agility test
In the sports hall, on an artificial turf, soccer players
performed a 30-m flat sprint test and the agility test.
The latter was similar to the velocity test, but in the
agility tests, 10 cones were positioned aligned with a
distance of 3 m between each consecutive cone.
Footballers had to run dodging the cones on the
left and right consecutively, or vice versa.
In both the velocity and the agility tests, running
times were measured using electronic timing lights
(Polifemo, Microgate, Italy) positioned at 15 m and
30 m. The starting position of the players was stand-
up, 2 m before the first timing light.
Selection process in a soccer club 3
Yo-yo intermittent recovery (Yo-yo IR1) test
The yo-yo intermittent recovery (IR, level 1) test
was performed by all participants. Players ran until
they could not keep pace, and the covered distance
was measured in meters.
Jump test
In order to measure the explosive power of the lower
extremities, participants performed a countermove-
ment jump (CMJ). The height (cm) of each jump
was measured using an optical measurement system
(Optojump, Microgate, Italy).
Handgrip (dynamometry) test
To measure the strength of the upper extremities,
soccer players performed a handgrip (HG, dynamo-
metry) test. They squeezed the dynamometer (Jamar,
Chicago, IL, USA) with a maximum isometric effort
for 5 s. Maximum strength was registered (kp).
With the exception of the yo-yo IR1 test, each test
was performed three times, and for statistical analy-
sis, the best performance in each was used.
Statistical analysis
Anthropometric measurements and data from the
performance tests were analysed and compared
among the groups of players. Data were displayed
as mean ± standard deviation.
To identify significant differences in all the vari-
ables among the players, a Student’s t-test or a
Mann–Whitney U-test was performed. To measure
the effect size, Cohen’s d was evaluated. Threshold
values for effect size statistics were 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8
for small, medium and large effect sizes, respectively
(Cohen, 1988).
Stepwise discriminant analysis was also used to
determine which variable(s) best predicted group
membership (preselection or soccer camp) using
Wilk’s lambda.
Statistical analyses of the data were performed
using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
17.0 software package (SPSS). The level of signifi-
cance was set at P < 0.05.
The technical error of measurement was less than
0.5% for height and weight and within the range of
2.4–4.5% for the skinfolds. The coefficients of varia-
tion for the performance tests used in this study
ranged from 1.2% to 5.5%.
Results
As it can be observed in Table I, preselected OFs
were older (P < 0.01) and leaner (P < 0.001) than
 4 S.M. Gil et al.

Table I. Descriptive variables of the preselected soccer players (outfield players and goalkeepers) and players of the soccer camp (CampP).

Preselection Cohen’s d

Outfield players Goalkeepers Soccer camp OFs − CampP GKs − CampP GKs − OFs

CA (years) 9.83 ± 0.27** 9.91 ± 0.13*** 9.63 ± 0.29 0.713 1.245 −0.377
Training years 3.43 ± 1.21 2.66 ± 1.19† 3.00 ± 1.41 0.327 −0.260 0.782
Weight (kg) 32.96 ± 4.28* 38.13 ± 3.72†† 35.45 ± 6.43 −0.455 0.510 −1.301
Height (cm) 139.16 ± 5.44 143.44 ± 5.35† 140.27 ± 7.03 −0.176 0.507 −0.793
Sitting ht (cm) 73.38 ± 2.85 75.08 ± 2.48 73.84 ± 2.84 −0.262 −0.161 −0.636
Leg length (cm) 65.77 ± 3.22 68.36 ± 3.63† 66.18 ± 3.39 −0.059 0.623 −0.754
Ratio of LL/sitting height 89.67 ± 3.60 91.06 ± 4.11 89.89 ± 3.69 −0.606 0.299 −0.359
BMI 16.96 ± 1.43* 18.50 ± 1.08 17.89 ± 2.01 −0.533 0.378 −0.533
∑skinfolds (mm) 48.86 ± 15.50** 63.28 ± 14.72†† 66.16 ± 29.75 −0.730 −0.122 −0.954
Limb fat (mm) 31.67 ± 10.30** 38.64 ± 9.28† 40.81 ± 16.61 −0.661 −0.161 −0.710
Body fat (mm) 17.18 ± 5.76*** 24.64 ± 6.59††† 25.35 ± 13.54 −0.785 −0.066 −1.205
Maturity offset (years) −3.79 ± 0.32 −3.59 ± 0.25 −3.22 ± 0.42 −0.077 −1.193 0.696
APHV (years) 13.62 ± 0.25 13.51 ± 0.22 13.03 ± 0.36 −0.029 −1.060 0.476
Downloaded by [Universidad Del Pais Vasco] at 03:56 01 December 2014

Velocity 15 m (s) 2.59 ± 0.10*** 2.64 ± 0.11*** 3.01 ± 0.14 −3.452 −2.938 −0.475
Velocity 30 m (s) 4.96 ± 0.21*** 5.05 ± 0.20*** 5.53 ± 0.30 −2.201 −1.882 −0.438
Agility 15 m (s) 2.88 ± 0.12*** 3.03 ± 0.15***†† 3.32 ± 0.14 −3.374 −1.998 −1.104
Agility 30 m (s) 5.81 ± 0.28*** 6.07 ± 0.35**† 6.38 ± 0.32 −1.895 −0.924 −0.820
Yo-yo IR (m) 617.95 ± 233.24** 408.88 ± 79.44††† 463.52 ± 223.27 0.676 −0.326 1.199
HG (kg) 18.46 ± 2.89 19.60 ± 2.27 18.12 ± 3.04 0.114 0.551 −0.438
CMJ (cm) 29.07 ± 3.27** 27.43 ± 1.87† 26.87 ± 3.07 0.693 0.220 0.615

Notes: CA = chronological age; LL = leg length; BMI = body mass index (kg · m–2); ∑ skinfolds = sum of skinfolds; APHV = age at peak
height velocity; yo-yo IR = yo-yo intermittent recovery test; HG = handgrip; CMJ = countermovement jump; OFs = outfield players;
GKs = goalkeepers.
*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001, difference between preselected players and soccer camp.
†
P < 0.05, ††P < 0.01, †††P < 0.001, difference between goalkeepers and outfield players.
Mean values, standard deviations and Cohen’s d are provided.

players of the soccer camp; however, training history,
height and maturity were similar. Moreover, prese-
lected OFs performed better in the velocity
(P < 0.001), agility (P < 0.001), endurance
(P < 0.01) and jump tests (P < 0.01).
GKs were older than players of the soccer camp
(P < 0.001). They were also slightly heavier and
taller with a medium effect size (P > 0.05, Cohen’s
d = 0.510 and d = 0.507, respectively) and had
longer legs (P > 0.05, d = 0.623, medium effect
size). GKs performed better in the 15-m and 30-m
(both P < 0.001) velocity and the 15-m (P < 0.001)
and 30-m (P < 0.01) agility tests than players of the
soccer camp.
Regarding the differences between the OFs and
the GKs, the latter were heavier (P < 0.001), were
taller (P < 0.05) and had longer legs (P < 0.05)
(Table II). They also had been training for less
years (P < 0.05). Besides, their sum of skinfolds
(P < 0.01), limb (P < 0.05) and body fat
(P < 0.001) and the fat percentage (P < 0.001)
were greater (Tables I and II). The somatotype was
different in both groups (Table II). GKs were more
mesomorphic (P < 0.05), but they were endo-
morphic–ectomorphic balanced, whereas OFs had a
larger ectomorphic component (P < 0.05) and a
smaller endomorphy (P < 0.01). Also, predicted
height was higher in the GKs compared to the OFs
(P < 0.05). On the other hand, OFs had better
performance in the agility 15-m (P < 0.01) and 30-
m (P < 0.05) tests, the endurance test (P < 0.001)
and the CMJ (P < 0.05, Table I).
Regarding the final selection of OFs (Table III),
the players that joined the team were older
(P < 0.05) and had a lower predicted height
(P < 0.05); however, they performed better in the
15-m (P < 0.01) and the 30-m (P < 0.001) agility
tests and the yo-yo IR test (P < 0.05).
Due to the small amount of GKs in each group, the
differences were not statistically significant; however,
the effect sizes were moderate to large in some of the
variables (Table IV). In this line, finally selected GKs
were older (d = 0.934), heavier (d = 0.744) and taller
(d = −1.272) and had a larger body length (d = 0.904)
but had particularly longer legs (d = 1.215), with a
larger ratio of leg length/sitting height (d = 0.720).
They also had a slightly larger sum of skinfolds
(d = 0.507) and limb fat (d = 0.656). Ectomorphy
was larger in the selected GKs (d = 0.887). Also,
selected GKs had a higher predicted height
(d = 1.173), and they were closer to their predicted
height (d = 0.918). Furthermore, selected GKs for
the team were closer to their maturity offset
(d = 1.093) and had their APHV at a younger age
(d = 0.670); also, their testosterone and DHEA were
higher, but with a small effect size.
 Selection process in a soccer club 5

Table II. Body composition, somatotype and maturity in the preselected soccer players (outfield players and
goalkeepers).

Outfield players Goalkeepers Cohen’s d

Fat (%) 9.84 ± 1.25*** 11.30 ± 1.35 −1.222

Bone (%) 20.04 ± 1.43 19.38 ± 1.13 0.512
Muscle (%) 46.00 ± 1.21 45.21 ± 1.41 0.601
Endomorphy 1.83 ± 0.61** 2.45 ± 0.64 −0.991
Mesomorphy 6.03 ± 0.82* 6.74 ± 0.72 −0.920
Ectomorphy 3.26 ± 0.87* 2.64 ± 0.70 0.785
Predicted height (cm) 179.36 ± 5.86* 183.88 ± 4.16 −0.889
Percentage of predicted height 77.50 ± 1.45 78.34 ± 1.22 −0.626
Testosterone (pg · ml–1) 19.21 ± 9.88 21.00 ± 9.35 −0.186
DHEA (ng · ml–1) 29.30 ± 14.45 32.55 ± 10.66 −0.255

Notes: DHEA = dehydroepiandrosterone.

*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001, difference between outfield players and goalkeepers.
Mean values, standard deviations and Cohen’s d are provided.
Downloaded by [Universidad Del Pais Vasco] at 03:56 01 December 2014

Table III. Descriptive variables in the group of preselected soccer outfield players: the finally selected players and the
nonselected players.

Selected Nonselected Cohen’s d

CA (years) 9.95 ± 0.29* 9.78 ± 0.25 0.627

Training years 3.65 ± 1.02 3.55 ± 1.22 0.064
Weight (kg) 33.35 ± 4.38 32.78 ± 4.29 0.131
Height (cm) 138.49 ± 5.48 139.46 ± 5.48 −0.177
Sitting height (cm) 118.35 ± 2.88 118.39 ± 2.87 −0.014
Leg length (cm) 60.39 ± 3.40 61.07 ± 3.11 −0.208
BMI 17.32 ± 1.17 16.80 ± 1.52 0.383
Sum skinfolds (mm) 50.15 ± 12.87 48.27 ± 16.70 0.126
Limb fat (mm) 32.28 ± 8.77 31.39 ± 11.03 0.089
Body fat (mm) 17.81 ± 4.92 16.87 ± 6.14 0.180
Fat (%) 9.94 ± 1.09 9.80 ± 1.33 0.118
Bone (%) 19.91 ± 1.12 20.10 ± 1.56 −0.152
Muscle (%) 46.03 ± 1.02 45.99 ± 1.30 0.030
Endomorphy 1.91 ± 0.54 1.80 ± 0.64 0.181
Mesomorphy 6.33 ± 0.61 5.89 ± 0.88 0.581
Ectomorphy 2.97 ± 0.61 3.39 ± 0.94 −0.530
Predicted height (cm) 176.58 ± 6.25* 180.36 ± 5.46 −0.650
Percentage of predicted height 78.02 ± 1.41 77.31 ± 1.44 0.498
Testosterone (pg · ml–1) 19.09 ± 10.65 19.26 ± 9.68 −0.016
DHEA (ng · ml–1) 3.67 ± 2.42 3.28 ± 2.23 0.164
Maturity offset (years) −3.74 ± 0.33 −3.81 ± 0.31 0.209
APHV (years) 13.70 ± 0.25 13.59 ± 0.25 0.410
Velocity 15 m (s) 2.55 ± 0.07 2.60 ± 0.11 −0.543
Velocity 30 m (s) 4.89 ± 0.16 4.99 ± 0.22 −0.519
Agility 15 m (s) 2.80 ± 0.08** 2.91 ± 0.12 −1.039
Agility 30 m (s) 5.68 ± 0.27* 5.86 ± 0.27 −0.667
Yo-yo IR test (m) 725.71 ± 226.73* 574.85 ± 224.62 0.668
HG (kg) 19.52 ± 3.37 17.91 ± 2.55 0.518
CMJ (cm) 29.22 ± 3.33 29.01 ± 3.30 0.063

Notes: CA = chronological age; BMI = body mass index (kg · m–2); sum skinfolds = tricipital + subscapular +
abdominal + suprailiac + thigh + lower leg; limb fat = tricipital + thigh + lower leg; body fat = subscapular +
abdominal + suprailiac; DHEA = dehydroepiandrosterone; APHV = age at peak height velocity; yo-yo IR test = yo-
yo intermittent recovery test; HG = handgrip (dynamometry); CMJ = countermovement jump; OF = outfield
players.
*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01: differences between selected and nonselected.
Mean values, standard deviations and Cohen’s d are provided.
 6 S.M. Gil et al.

Table IV. Descriptive variables in the group of preselected soccer goalkeepers: the finally selected and the non-
selected goalkeepers.

Selected Nonselected Cohen’s d

CA (years) 9.98 ± 0.09 9.87 ± 0.14 0.934

Training years 2.75 ± 0.95 2.60 ± 1.47 0.120
Weight (kg) 39.82 ± 4.38 37.00 ± 3.09 0.744
Height (cm) 147.17 ± 6.09 140.95 ± 3.27 −1.272
Sitting height (cm) 76.30 ± 1.65 74.26 ± 2.73 0.904
Leg length (cm) 70.87 ± 4.58 66.68 ± 1.67 1.215
Ratio of LL/sitting height 92.83 ± 4.26 89.88 ± 3.92 0.720
BMI 18.34 ± 0.88 18.61 ± 1.26 0.248
Sum skinfolds (mm) 68.10 ± 18.88 60.06 ± 12.05 0.507
Limb fat (mm) 42.40 ± 10.76 36.13 ± 8.17 0.656
Body fat (mm) 25.70 ± 9.01 23.93 ± 5.29 −0.239
Fat (%) 11.64 ± 1.87 11.07 ± 1.00 0.380
Bone (%) 19.49 ± 1.31 19.30 ± 1.11 0.151
Muscle (%) 44.76 ± 1.90 45.51 ± 1.07 −0.486
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Endomorphy 2.68 ± 0.85 2.30 ± 0.49 0.547

Mesomorphy 6.53 ± 0.39 6.88 ± 0.88 0.514
Ectomorphy 2.99 ± 0.58 2.41 ± 0.72 0.887
Predicted height (cm) 186.31 ± 3.79 181.95 ± 3.64 1.173
Percentage of predicted height 78.96 ± 1.67 77.84 ± 0.43 0.918
Testosterone (pg · ml–1) 22.90 ± 14.66 19.48 ± 2.69 0.324
DHEA (ng · ml–1) 36.23 ± 18.61 30.71 ± 5.57 0.401
Maturity offset (years) −3.45 ± 0.19 −3.69 ± 0.24 1.093
APHV (years) 13.43 ± 0.14 13.57 ± 0.26 0.670
Velocity 15 m (s) 2.62 ± 0.12 2.66 ± 0.11 −0.320
Velocity 30 m (s) 5.01 ± 0.24 5.08 ± 0.19 −0.331
Agility 15 m (s) 2.99 ± 0.23 3.07 ± 0.06 −0.441
Agility 30 m (s) 5.99 ± 0.53 6.13 ± 0.16 0.367
Yo-yo IR test (m) 400.00 ± 86.40 416.00 ± 82.94 0.188
HG (kg) 20.75 ± 2.98 18.83 ± 1.47 0.817
CMJ (cm) 28.40 ± 2.36 26.66 ± 1.06 0.951

Notes: CA = chronological age; LL = Leg length; sum skinfolds = tricipital + subscapular + abdominal + suprailiac +
thigh + lower leg; limb fat = tricipital + thigh + lower leg; body fat = subscapular + abdominal + suprailiac;
APHV = age at peak height velocity; yo-yo IR test = yo-yo intermittent recovery test; HG = handgrip (dynamo-
metry); CMJ = countermovement jump; GK = goalkeepers.
Mean values, standard deviations and Cohen’s d are provided.

Finally, selected GKs performed better (large
effect size) in the HG test (d = 0.817) and the
CMJ (d = 0.915).
Discussion
The present study analysed the process of talent
identification in a professional club. Preselected
OFs were older and lighter and had lower BMI
and amount of body fat compared to players of the
soccer camp. Besides, they performed better in most
performance tests (velocity, agility, endurance and
jump tests). Moreover, discriminant analysis showed
that the velocity and agility tests (both 15 m and
30 m) were the most important parameters to dis-
criminate between the preselected players and
players of the soccer camp. Both agility and speed
have been cited as the most important features in
soccer players, particularly in high-level players
(Williams & Reilly, 2000).
Physical performance has been closely related to
chronological age. Thus, it has been observed that
older players display better results in the velocity, the
agility and the jump tests and in the yo-yo IR level 1
than younger players born in the same year (Gil
et al., 2013). On the other hand, it is well known
that body fat is negatively related to the performance
of soccer players (Figueiredo, Coelho E Silva, &
Malina, 2011) and to the selection of players.
Therefore, probably both an advanced chronological
age and a leaner body make preselected players excel
in their soccer performance while they are training
and playing, and consequently they are identified as
talented by the technical staff. In fact, age and adip-
osity were primary predictors of functional capacity
in soccer players aged 11–12 years (Figueiredo et al.,
2011).
Nonetheless, there were fewer observed differ-
ences between the finally selected and the nonse-
lected players. The statistically significant
differences were found in the chronological age

(selected players were older), lower predicted height
and better agility and endurance. Again, chronologi-
cal age is a determinant factor in the selection pro-
cess, probably due to the fact that older players
demonstrate better performance in various physical
tests than their younger peers (Gil et al., 2013).
Agility is an important characteristic for playing
many sports, but it is particularly relevant to soccer.
It has been mentioned as a discriminating factor in
the selection process of players (Gil, Ruiz, et al.,
2007; Huijgen, Elferink-Gemser, Post, & Visscher,
2009).
Also, the finally selected players outperformed the
nonselected players in the endurance test. In this
line, a longer total distance covered by the retained
players during matches was compared with that by
Downloaded by [Universidad Del Pais Vasco] at 03:56 01 December 2014
the released players by a Soccer Academy (Goto,
Morris, & Nevill, 2013), which implies that endur-
ance is an important feature for high-level soccer
players even from young ages. It is interesting to
note that the results of the yo-yo IR level 1 test of
the finally selected OFs were very similar to those
observed in elite young soccer players from first-
division soccer clubs from Belgium aged 9.7 years
and born at the beginning of the year (739 ± 270 m)
(Deprez, Vaeyens, Coutts, Lenoir, & Philippaerts,
2012), proving that the selected players of the pre-
sent study are correctly classified as high-level
players.
There is less information in the literature about
soccer GKs compared to the information about
other positions. To our knowledge, this is the first
time that the process of identification of talented
GKs has been analysed.
In the present study, we observed more differ-
ences between the preselected GKs and the OFs
than in the players of the soccer camp. In this
respect, preselected GKs were significantly older
than participants of the soccer camp, and also the
OFs. Moreover, the finally selected players’ age was
higher than that of the nonselected GKs (large effect
size). This is probably related to the fact that older
players are taller and also display better performance
(Gil et al., 2013), and both are important for
goalkeeping.
GKs had especially distinct anthropometric char-
acteristics compared to the OFs. In this sense, they
were taller, heavier and had a bigger amount of fat,
particularly the finally selected ones. This anthropo-
metric pattern has already been described in adult
and adolescent soccer GKs (Ziv & Lidor, 2011). It is
reasonable that these players should have a large
body size (including long limbs and body) in order
to stop the ball from entering the goal (Ziv & Lidor,
2011). It is also noticeable that predicted height was
higher in the preselected GKs (184 cm) compared to
the OFs (179 cm), but this measure was even higher
Selection process in a soccer club 7
in the finally selected GKs (186 cm). Should these
selected players attain this potential height in the
future, they would reach the height of high-level
GKs (Ziv & Lidor, 2011), demonstrating the ade-
quacy of the selection process of this particular club
in this matter.
OFs performed better in most of the performance
tests compared to the GKs. However, it is remark-
able that players of both positions outperformed the
players of the soccer camp in velocity, implying a
good performance in the running sprints in the pre-
selected players, in the OKs and also in the GKs. In
this sense, comparisons in the velocity between the
GKs and OKs have shown inconclusive results
(Aziz, Mukherjee, Chia, & Teh, 2008; Gil, Gil,
et al., 2007; Ziv & Lidor, 2011).
However, GKs showed a worse performance in
the agility test than the OFs, similar to the results
by Taşkin (2008) and Gil, Gil, et al. (2007). Agility
is a characteristic a GK must have; however, perhaps
the agility test of the present study was not as accu-
rate to measure GKs’ specific agility. It would be
very interesting if other kinds of tests to measure the
specific agility of the GKs were designed.
On the other hand, it has been widely described
that GKs have a low endurance capacity (Gil, Gil,
et al., 2007; Ziv & Lidor, 2011). In the present
study, GKs displayed the worst results in the yo-yo
IR1 test. A large aerobic capacity is probably not
essential, but a moderate capacity is beneficial (Ziv
& Lidor, 2011), and this should be kept in mind by
the coaches when designing training sessions.
It has been observed that GKs exhibit higher
jumps (Sporis, Jukic, Ostojic, & Milanovic, 2009),
similar to the rest of the players (Arnason et al.,
2004). In the present study, OFs showed better
results in the CMJ than the GKs. However, the
finally selected players had better explosive power
of the legs than the nonselected ones (28.4 cm vs
26.66 cm, d = 0.951) comparable to the results of
Rebelo et al. (2013) in which elite players displayed
higher jumps than nonelite ones. Good vertical jump
skills are important for GKs, as they are often
required to leap vertically to catch or deflect a ball
(Ziv & Lidor, 2011).
Finally, selected players exhibited higher strength
in the arms in the HG test (d = 0.817) compared to
nonselected GKs and also the rest of the partici-
pants, and they were also the tallest. The literature
provides evidence that in prepubertal boys, height is
a good predictor of HG strength (Jürimäe, Hurbo, &
Jürimäe, 2009).
Last, the earlier maturity offset and age at the peak
height velocity and higher percentage of the pre-
dicted height observed in the finally selected GKs
(large effect size) together with the higher levels of
testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (small
 8 S.M. Gil et al.
effect size) suggest a trend for an advanced maturity
in this group of players. We could not find any
studies about the maturational status and GKs, but
it is reasonable that more mature players are selected
due to the fact that it has been demonstrated that
they are taller, are stronger and have better perfor-
mance particularly in strength measurements
(Coelho E Silva, Moreira Carvalho, et al., 2010).
One of the limitations of the present study was
that some measurements, that is, a complete anthro-
pometry, were not undertaken in the players of the
soccer camp, and their somatotype could not be
calculated. The reason is that the participants
attended the soccer camp for a short period of time
(1 week), and the procedures could not take up a lot
of time for their activities. Consequently, it was
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decided to undertake the most relevant measure-
ments in this group of players. Also, it would have
been interesting to assess soccer-specific skills used
by the players in the tests such as Loughborough
Soccer Passing Test and the Loughborough Soccer
Shooting Test as suggested by Ali (2011) in all the
participants. Nonetheless, the selection of the players
was made based on their playing performance on the
soccer field, and soccer skills tests are indeed
designed to evaluate this performance.
Another limitation is that there were no specific tests
for the GKs. It would be interesting that in future
investigations, specific tests for GKs are utilised in
order to differentiate finally selected GKs from non-
selected ones (Knoop, Fernandez-Fernandez, &
Ferrauti, 2013) to describe talent identification pro-
grammes for this particular positional role.
It is important to underline that the technical
staff did not know the results of our study when
they made the selection of the players. This selec-
tion was done based on the coaches’ and obser-
vers’ expertise in this matter and through the
observation and analysis of the physical appear-
ance and technical and tactical skills of the players
while they trained and played matches. By this
means, the preselected OFs were older, leaner,
fast and agile and with a good endurance and
explosive power, whereas in finally selected players
the distinctive parameters were age, agility and
endurance. Besides, GKs had a specific anthropo-
metric and performance pattern. They had larger
body sizes and more strength of the upper extre-
mities and legs’ explosive power, resembling the
characteristics of the adult GKs. Undoubtedly,
selected OFs and GKs had appropriate anthropo-
metric and fitness features to excel in performance;
in fact, they were the best performers. Yet, it will
be very interesting to follow their achievements in
the future. On the other hand, to our knowledge,
the present study for the first time analysed the
process of talent identification within a
professional club. It would be very interesting
that similar studies in clubs of different levels and
countries are designed to confirm these results.
Funding
This study was partially supported by the Basque
Government [grant number IT700-13].
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